The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-08-21
AMERICAN IDEAS IN BULGARIA.

There is a reason, perhaps not generally
known, why the American people should feel
rather special interest in the political well
fare of Bulgaria. There is in Turkey, not far
from the confines of Bulgaria, an American
college, organized and conducted on the
American plan, with American professors and
tutors. 1t was endowed chiefly by the liberal
ity of Christopher r. Robert, a New York
merchant. whose name it bears The institu-
ton has been in successful operation for sew
eral years, educating young Bulgarians after
the fashion of our home colleges to such an
extent that most of the higher education now
prevalent in Bulgaria is OF American origin.
At the same time American political ideas
have gained foothold. This is indicated by
the Bulgarian constitution. 1t may surprise
some to learn that this instrument declares
that the completest civil and religious liberty
exists in Bulgaria as well for aliens as for
subjects; "that ali Bulgarians are equal before
the law )" that there exists no privileged class
in Bulgaria )" that ''titles of nobility OF rank,
as we'll as orders and decorations, cannot exist
within the principality of Bulgaria" though
those who have seen Bulgarian regiment on
parade, to say nothing of Bulgarian Ministers
in council. must smile at the provision respect
ing orders and decorations that "no one can
be punished without having been previously
sentenced by competent tribunal, having
legal authority" that mo person can be i'm
y1rienppd and M houca searcbad aycart Y1pdar
the conditions expressed by the laws" that "no
one can be subjected to any form of punish
ment except such as is specified by law" that
torture and confscation of goods cannot be
inflicted forany crime whatever" that private
letters and kilograms are secret and inviolable;"
that primary education is gratuirous and OBJ
lgatory for all subjects" that 'the press is
free, censorship can be instituted, and no
caution can be required from authors, editors
or publishers :" that if the author be known
brought against the editor, publisher or sales
man." that ''offenses in whatever concerns
the press can only be tried according to COM
mon law and before the ordinary courts" and
that the right of public meeting, of forming
associations for purposes not prejudcial to
public order, religion and good morals" and
of presenting petitions to the authorities is in
vioable. These ideas are not indigenous in
European soil. They are clearly of American
origin, and doubtless in large degree the re-
suit of the educational work of Robert Col
lege. They long advance on the polit-
ical ideas and constitutional maxims prevalent
in most European countries and perhaps they
account in part for the close watch kept over
Bulgaria by Russia, Turkey and other powers.
1t will not do to let such ideas get too much of
a Roadway. If Bulgaria should take notion
to declare her independence it may be a
republic. That is a remote possibility, but it
might happen. The seeds of republic have
been sown there and have taken root. OF
course Russia and Turkey would not tolerate
arepublic in Bulgaria, but it would be an in
teresting experiment.